Improving decision-making and cutting compulsive drinking by targeting the brain's prefrontal cortex
Targeting computation in prefrontal cortex to improve decision-making and reduce compulsive drinking in rodent models.
This project is seeing if targeting the brain's decision-making area can improve planning and reduce compulsive drinking for people with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143288 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using animal models of alcohol use disorder to study why people with AUD make poor planning decisions and act impulsively. They will measure and manipulate activity in the brain's prefrontal cortex in awake animals using modern neuroscience tools to identify neural signals that drive planning and impulsivity. The team focuses on 'non-planning' impulsivity because it is a strong predictor of alcohol dependence in humans. Findings aim to point toward brain-targeted approaches that could restore decision-making and lower compulsive drinking.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with alcohol use disorder who struggle with impulsivity and poor planning are the population this research is intended to help in the long term.
Not a fit: People without alcohol problems or whose drinking is driven primarily by medical, social, or non-decision-making causes may not benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inspire new treatments that improve planning and reduce compulsive drinking in people with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human brain studies suggest the prefrontal cortex influences addiction behaviors, but direct brain-targeted treatments for decision-making deficits in AUD remain largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lapish, Christopher Court — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Lapish, Christopher Court
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.